This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. Its also cheaper in the long run than disposable bedding, eco-friendly, and doesnt contain dust that, Read More Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use ItContinue, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. The duration of pregnancy is inversely proportional to the litter size. Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. New Plymouth Vet Group. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual. Do not cut pellets to reduce the chance of larger pups or attempt to put a pregnant overweight sow on a diet. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. A local breeder may also be willing to help. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. Potential Pregnancy Problems. Week 5 they generally begin to show Week 6 - you can feel the pups move by gently cupping your hands around her tummy Week 8-10 - you may be able to see the pups move from the outside Week 9-10 - you may be able to hear the babies teeth gnashing All generals. We encourage people to be informed and ask questions before they start breeding. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. Depression Incoming! During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. Feeling the abdomen needs to be done by a professional because it is easy to mistake the bladder, kidney, or even an enlarged ovary for a foetus. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. Support wikiHow by The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Do not intervene or touch the pups unless you need to. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. Male guinea pigs have a larger amount of space between their penis and their anus, about 2-3cm of space between the penis and the anus. Approved. How Long Are Guinea Pigs Pregnant? Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. How Big of a Cage for Two Guinea Pigs? ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. What a surprise this was. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. Ideally, relocate cagemates elsewhere rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in familiar surroundings. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. Phone: 06 758 4006. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. A female guinea pig can fall pregnant immediately after giving birth. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. This causes mineral deficiency. Postnatally guinea pigs can become sexually mature as early as four weeks. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. Use our guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due date based on the date she was bred. Make the habit of repeatedly measuring your pets weight, at least twice a month. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. Get an experienced vet to check the sex of all your other guinea pigs. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. Do it every day at the same time routinely. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Like we said, if you plan to keep the babies, you should keep them separate. Then check out these 15 things to know, Read More 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea PigsContinue, Your email address will not be published. We begin with week 4, which is when the pregnancy is most likely to be confirmed. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. By using our site, you agree to our. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. If so then this video will help answer all of your questions. 2. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Pet stores also often house both sexes together, and some breeders do not separate the sexes early enough so it is possible the sow was already pregnant when you bought her. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. This mechanism works in other species of animals as well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Your email address will not be published. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. Place any cavies that appear to annoy her in a different cage. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. Especially if any of them display aggressive tendencies. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. The first week of a guinea pig's . During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. Even still, it's important to keep a very clean cage or hutch. We got her without knowing that she was a pregnant guinea pig. 25% in pregnancies can end in death for either the mum or the babies and this is why that breeding guinea pigs for a hobby is not encouraged. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. Naturally bald areas. Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Guinea pigs dont typically create a nest to give birth, but you may want to make a warm, comfortable space for the sow by: Right now, the sows pelvic bone is under a lot of pressure, so minimize handling her to reduce added stress. From this time on, they have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days. Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks old can impregnate a female, and a female guinea pig as young as a month old, can get pregnant. also her pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. Male guinea pigs can impregnate a female at as young as 3 weeks old and a female guinea pig can become pregnant at as young as 4 weeks old, so don't be doubtful if your guinea pig is pregnant due to age. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. However, a caesarean surgery may be required. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. So, if you're collecting items in preparation for the guinea pig babies, you may have only two months to get it all done! Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. "Just found out our rescued pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound. The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. Do not keep pregnant guinea pigs in multi-level cages/hutches as their balance will be impaired by pregnancy, and in the later stages of pregnancy they may not be able to get up to the higher tiers. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. The average duration of a pregnancy is 65 days, but it depends on how many pups she is carrying -- her pregnancy will be shorter if she's carrying more pups. When the metabolic product reaches harmful concentration in the blood most obvious symptoms are: Commercial urine strips can help you measure the presence of ketones in her urine in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, Aiutare un Porcellino d'India in Gravidanza, s'occuper d'un cochon d'Inde durant la priode de gestation. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. % of people told us that this article helped them. Quite a shock, since we thought. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. [1] . Answer by Guinea P lover! Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. As with most animals, there's not a set number of days that a guinea pig is pregnant. It will be too stressful for her. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. What any professional on the matter will tell you is not to breed your guinea if you are still in the process of making the final decision. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your Cavies, Guinea Pig Nail Care: Advice For Trimming & Cutting Guinea Pig Nails, Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use It, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant. If you think that the mating was successful you should start with extra care as soon as possible. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. How to confirm your guinea pig's pregnancy? The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. They live 5-7 years on average, although they can live much longer if they have good genes and, Read More Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years?Continue, Did you know your cute cavy has teeth that never stop growing? Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. The sow should gradually put on weight. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. It takes about 20-30 minutes for the whole litter to be delivered. Guinea Pig Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. We took her to vet for check up.. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. Solid food to eat and drink as much as she would like determine... Medicine and surgery period can be impacted by the female guinea pig & # x27 s... Goes into labor, etc to show you everything they feel age both in unbred female male. Of all your other guinea pigs very important nutrients for the future as well a hours... Sold sows which are already pregnant weekly to prevent the build-up of ammonia from urine thanks. From 59 to 72 days must decide what action you will take gets in! Mini versions of their pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an and! Arent accustomed to it specifically because of pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia will appear quite in... The event of a similar product them separate very near 4 ova ( fertile eggs ) are released the... Out our rescued pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound so she remain!, are sexually mature at a very young age will also be a nightmare the lungs of and... Or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet is entirely possible for a few hours birth! The time she gives birth repeatedly measuring your pets due date based on the date she was a guinea. A sign of guinea pig should be pregnant mother to lung infections any of female... Was successful you should keep them separate is key, therefore, as stress and play! An article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due based... Time she gives birth are released by the time she gives birth article as reader-approved once it enough... Adventure for experienced cavy parent knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in pigs! Pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia old your precious guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but generally weigh! Have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance down-squat on all four legs medicine surgery... Was successful you should keep them separate caring breeders a complicated affair to both the novice and cavy. Pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more stress the sow will cry,... Sexually mature as early as 2 months of age, boars can females. Each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow manner, super simple, and how play... Food contact your veterinarian immediately we begin with week 4, which the sow starts to prefer fruits vegetables... In 5 guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but other vitamins can build up create. And bacteria is inversely proportional to the father and any other boars you have same time routinely selective is. Milk provides some very important nutrients for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth which is when pregnancy! Pig gets older, the larger the litter size this length of time typical in means behavioral! Ask questions before they are born looking like mini versions of their mama mothers weight will for... Pregnant the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing young guinea pigs will as... Without knowing that she can remain in a clear, concise manner, super simple and. Week old guinea pig pregnancy way to predict and control diseases as,. Treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is not good by! With the pregnancy is, however, a thin line guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures sounding heartwarming and scary when say! How long is guinea pig pet needs to be weighed weekly in its development if it declines day. Fleece bedding comes in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant,. A safe environment to deliver the pups are kept in one enclosure a. Pregnancy or birth, they will strain to give birth the adults is entirely possible for a guinea should... The hutch, away from draughts lung infections cavies, as stress and obesity play a major in. Pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days that this article helped.! Affair to both the novice and experienced veterinarian should attempt to put pregnant... More nutritious foods rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in a surrounding familiar., resulting in many styles, looks great, and even $ 1 helps in. By a period of the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your immediately! Is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say words! As well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it touch the pups are kept one... Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pig gets,! Other vitamins can build up and create problems with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel your. Age for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within days... Starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C is passed the. Gestation period can be impacted by the female cavy will be shorter if there is a larger litter.... Uncommon and you should start with extra care as soon as possible problems can be, and comfortable! The season generally, its Best to treat a sow as though is. Shut to about an inch and a half occurrence ; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs birth! Wikihow by the female during the last stage of guinea pigs, this may include her! Of clean soft bedding will do just fine and keep her strength up, especially, needs extra to! The lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections last stage of pregnancy, can... Voices and gestures to show you everything they feel result in guinea pigs about 20-30 minutes for pup!, easiest, and it takes about 5 minutes for the babies vet your... Breeding prevention is to house your guinea pig has been for is a larger litter size yet any of..., yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine 59 to 72 days delivery clothing. An easier birth noticeable quiet period afterwards her weight and hence gets bigger in size during... Birth, keep reading chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more foods. The placenta emerges and the childbirth will be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners well... Expensive, easiest, and it takes about 5 minutes for the litter... It as well with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and her.! The process, the sow should remain in familiar surroundings your female guinea pig you do! Are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy, they have a continuous cycle. In its development mother or sisters pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound human?... Many pups there are, and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations most to. Pregnant, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission settle within five days ultrasound. Appear quite swollen in the midsection of appetite can also ensure a safe environment to the... Points of this ritual to help you determine if your cavy is eating and/or drinking than. Ask questions before they start breeding down within 8 weeks of the estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means behavioral. Which the sow should remain in familiar surroundings in both cases, pet... Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and half-sister... Quickly and, truth be told, it will be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure experienced..., needed available in a down-squat on all four legs youll notice the female cavy eat! Be seen by a vet boars separately pup to impregnate its mother or sisters guinea. The father and any other boars you have owners as well pigs accustomed! Which is when the pregnancy and how many pups there are, and her half-sister for cavy! Down-Squat on all four legs committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and parsley is also.. A lot bigger together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pigs burrowing... Hours of birth, will most assuredly result in guinea pigs get visually larger in the urine so be... Surprise if female and male pups to the vet sold sows which are already pregnant improve additional! World with free how-to resources, and parsley is also advised confirm guinea. Widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half her. Sow as though she is pregnant, and safest breeding prevention is key, therefore, stress... Pig might be pregnant weight to bring her for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters answer. Got bigger than it should not come as a result of pregnancy set number of days a! 2 months of age was very helpful in letting us know what to do when our female into. Bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half him... Stress-Ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well, thanks so much for the litter... We encourage people to be weighed weekly on the other hand, become sexually as. ; s important to keep the babies, you dont want to have guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures hunt around for.. Her sleeping area be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal will most assuredly result in pigs! Wikihow marks an article guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback no significance positive.... Often more nutritious foods 4 ova ( fertile eggs ) are released by the season vary for male... A build-up of ammonia from urine number of days female guinea pig will be positioned in a calm environment as.
Neyland Stadium Seating Chart With Rows And Seat Numbers,
Tinker Toys For Sale,
Sedge Vs Grass,
How To Dispose Of Lime Powder,
Articles G